| A True Story of Horse-Shopping in Europe
by Gay Walker
In early January 2003, Georgia Griffiths and I went on a horse-shopping trip with Jürgen and Jennifer. Georgia was buying, I was looking into exchanging a youngster for a jumper I had on hand. While there, we promised that I would publicly confess (and Georgia would witness) that Jürgen was totally innocent, and in fact helpless, with regard to me coming home with a second horse. So here it is: the TRUE story of horse-hunting in Germany with Jürgen. It’s quite an experience—one that we wouldn’t have missed for the world, though perhaps not what you’d think based on the horse-hunting trips other people have gone on. Our trip began in San Diego with an 8 AM flight, connecting via Washington, DC to Münich. We landed in Münich at 8 AM (German-time) the following morning. So far, so good. After collecting our luggage and our rental car, and meeting up with Georg, Jürgen’s invaluable European contact, we left for the first stable. As we headed out of Münich, it seemed that there were a lot of tunnels, and then, even in our jet-lagged (or is it –stunned?) state, we realized that it was the same tunnel, over and over again, and we (Jennifer, Georgia and I) dared to ask the gentlemen (Georg and Jürgen), who were driving, whether or not we should consult a map. Having gotten the men, who by nature never consult maps or ask directions, to seek help, we were once again on the correct path and we reached the first stable where we saw several lovely horses. Unfortunately, the one we had most wanted to see, based on videos and Georg’s scouting reports, had pulled up lame from a suspected stone bruise the day before. Still, we filmed several, drank the first of what was to be cups and cups of hot tea (Jennifer called Georgia and I the “bag ladies” because we brought our own decaf tea bags from home—we think we embarrassed her), and then moved on. We went to several stables that day, and drove for hours and hours. By the time the day was through, it was midnight, we had been up for more than 36 hours straight, and we had seen 10 or more horses, including 3 young stallions, one of which Jürgen and Jennifer would later purchase. Georgia and I called that horse “Thunderbolt” for the rest of the trip, because we felt like we’d been hit by one the minute we saw him—electricity through our bodies, our hair standing on end, and our hearts pounding. Their new 3 year-old, Giacobello (“Beautiful James” in English) has that kind of presence! We can’t wait for you to meet him when he arrives after his 70-Day Testing in October!!! It wasn’t a name; it was just the only way we knew to describe that kind of “WOW” experience. Anyway, we had gone from Münich to Saarbrücken, near the Luxembourg border since landing, and hadn’t seen a bed since leaving home. Needless to say, we slept well that night. We did lots of sightseeing, too. There were historical churches and castles everywhere—all whizzing by at 160 km/hr or more, of course—but they were there, and we saw them! Thank goodness for dry weather, and well-maintained Autobahns. The next day, we headed to Frankfurt, and stopped at stables where every horse seemed better than the one before. The quality of the horses was exceptional, and we brought home 7 cassette tapes of video footage to prove it. It was in Frankfurt that “it” happened. We had just seen a very real candidate for Georgia (that horse was a back-up in case the one she bought hadn’t passed the vet), and we were warming up with a cup of tea and some wonderful Apple Strudel (it is really really cold in Germany—“indoor arena” is German for “refrigerator/freezer”). My back was to the video screen and we were all talking and laughing, when all of a sudden I felt compelled to turn around. I don’t know why. And I saw him, the most beautiful stallion in the world. I asked who the horse was, and got a mumbled response about “Oh, just a schoolmaster we have for sale.” I started asking for more information as Jürgen was trying to shut me, and them, up. And Jennifer was saying, “You can’t do this, Gay. Bill will kill us. He will never let you go to Europe with us again. We won’t be allowed back in the country.” They had no chance. I demanded to be shown the horse. I demanded information on the horse. I don’t know why. I just had to see him. I was stubborn. Insistent. Bordering on belligerent. As it turns out, the stallion’s name is Facet, he’s a real pussycat, and he’s a Grand Prix horse that used to be owned by Ellen Bontje, and is now owned by a former Young Rider who is ready to make a bid for the German team. She loves the horse, and doesn’t want to break him by working him that hard. And she doesn’t want to sell him to someone else who would do the same. She just wanted to find him someone who would love him, and learn from him like she did (he taught her a lot), and who would keep him forever and retire him when they were done. Well, guess what!?! I volunteered. Of course, I had to promise Jürgen that I would make sure everyone knew that he had no prayer of stopping me with regard to this horse and that it wasn’t his fault. I also had to agree to sell Pascale (Tipper), and the exchange, and to look carefully at all the other horses I have with Bill and Jürgen, and let them decide which ones to sell (only Promise, Kalibre and Quila are safe from sale). Facet will be in quarantine at Davis for a month, and should arrive at Rancho Los Amigos mid-March. I can hardly wait. Later the same day, we saw Georgia’s horse, Petite Danseur, a Dutch gelding that reminds me of jungle cat because of his agile yet powerful grace, and then late that night we saw the young stallion (now gelded) that is the exchange. We’ve named him L’Esperanza, but in a rather punchy moment the following day, Georgia and I were in stitches on the floor of the van thinking up “L” names for him like “Lost Balls.” (His father was Lamoreux, and so he needed an “L” name—the poor boy had no name yet). Jennifer was doing her best to pretend she didn’t know us, while Jürgen drove and talked on his cell phone. We thought we were hilarious, though… We did manage to slow down enough at the end to have dinner at Jennifer and Jürgen’s favorite restaurant in Krefeld, though, for goose—a taste sensation that is not to be missed, and to have more tea (what else!?!) and cake with Jürgen’s parents one afternoon. We also met Jürgen’s former boss, Jean Bemelmans who now coaches the Spanish equestrian team, when Jennifer tried a horse at his stable and then had a lovely dinner out with Mr. Bemelmans and some of his staff. In our 5 days, we traveled 2400 km in a Chrysler Mini-Van, from Münich in the south, to Saarbrücken in the west, to Hamburg in the north, and then to Krefeld before flying back via Düsseldorf to Frankfurt to LAX to San Diego. We saw more than 50 horses (I lost count), and brought home 7 cassettes worth of video footage of the horses we saw/tried. We ate hearty breakfasts, and tasty dinners, but lunch was Power-Bars and sodas and Gatorade in the back of the Mini-Van. Fortunately, on this trip the stables were close enough together that potty-stops were not an issue. It was grueling, but we found 4 fabulous horses, all of whom vetted cleanly. A Nieman-Marcus experience this wasn’t—but with regard to what we found, just wait until you see our purchases! And of course, our memories are priceless. September 2004 Postscript: Jennifer Hoffmann competed Petit Danseur for the USET Selection Trials at Prix St. Georges/Intermediaire-1, after finishing 2003 ranked 4th at Prix St. Georges and 5th at Intermediaire-1 by the USDF. She placed 8th overall at the Selection Trials, with a 5th in the Musical Freestyle, and then just a few short weeks later, moved Petit Danseur up to Intermediaire-2 at the Pebble Beach CDI***, where she and Petit Danseur won their classes with scores over 70%!!! In 2005, Petit Danseur and Jennifer have been long-listed by USET for their Developing Horse/Rider program. Petit Danseur will debut at Grand Prix in the 2005 season. Facet competed in the FEI Junior classes in 2004, and at 3rd and 4th Level with 14 year-old Susan Walker after losing his heart to the young Susan who had borrowed him for help in mastering her changes and the canter half-pass. Her generous Mom wasn't cruel enough to insist on stealing him back, and was repaid by the joy that comes in watching your child achieve the success she'd been dreaming of... Gay also enjoyed newfound pleasure in riding her mare, 'Quila, with the skills that Facet had taught her. (Gay and Quila began to compete themselves in late 2004, after Tequila Sunrise returned from maternity leave.) Susan and Facet were undefeated at 3rd and 4th Level in 2004 in regular competition, and qualified for and competed at the prestigious USEF National Junior Dressage Team Championships (a US Olympic Committee sanctioned event open only to the top 12 horse/rider pairs in the United States), where they won Team Gold and Individual Bronze medals. They are now busy at home schooling Prix St. Georges and beyond, and looking to the future. Facet is also teaching Susan one-tempi's, which puts a huge grin on Susan's face. Giacobello has had several show outings since arriving in the United States after successfully completing his 70-Day Testing in Germany in Fall 2003, resting up, then travelling to the United States in the early part of the year and being released from quarantine in February 2004. He suitably impressed the judge and spectators. He has also been schooling 3-Day Eventing with Tiffany Silverman to keep his agile mind as stimulated as his agile body, and will have his debut this fall. He is definitely demonstrating that he is an all-around athlete. L'Esperanza is also doing well, and shows all the promise of an international quality athlete. He received an 83.5% at his first show outing this past Spring, and improves daily in talent and ability. We are thrilled with his progress, and have no doubt that he will live up to his name ("The Hope"). |
